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Freeport McMoran prepares $7.5 bln financial investment to broaden Chile copper mine

U.S. miner Freeport McMoran prepares to invest around $7.5 billion to broaden its El Abra copper mine in Chile, a project expected to take seven to 8 years to develop due to allowing requirements, CEO Kathleen Quirk said on Tuesday.

Speaking in a call with experts after reporting second quarter results that beat revenue price quotes, Quirk stated Freeport prepared to send an ecological effect statement by the end of next year.

We're going to continue to examine the economics in the context of market conditions, but think this is a project that will be required in the future to support long-term copper demand trends, Peculiarity said.

Freeport owns 51% of El Abra, with the remainder held by Codelco, one of the world's biggest copper manufacturers. The mine produced 98,400 metric lots of copper last year, according to information from state company Cochilco.

Freeport Chairman Richard Adkerson said Codelco was nervous. for us to move on and supported the company establishing a. relationship with Chilean President Gabriel Boric.

He kept in mind that Boric had actually proven to be encouraging of the. mining industry.

The tone is substantially changed from his initial election. duration, Adkerson said.

Peculiarity added that Chile in addition to Peru, home to Freeport's. copper and molybdenum mine Cerro Verde, were both interested in. drawing in more investment in the sector.

In Chile, she said Freeport was hopeful that the federal government. would carry out its objective to enhance permitting for mining. projects.

The growth at El Abra requires a new concentrator plant,. pipelines for water requirements, and financial investments in. desalinization. It would yield 750 million pounds of copper and. 9 million pounds of molybdenum annually, Peculiarity stated.

(source: Reuters)